Chapter fifteen
Iris's pov
"Thats it? It's pointless... we can't even bury her." Daniel said as he finished putting the Cross with Mushrooms name on it, into the ground.
"Well... unless you wanna say something.." Sean said.
"Uh... goodbye Mushroom.. you we're such a good puppy. I'll always remember running through the snow with you, and.. how you'd snuggle.. i'll never forget you. Never."
I began to tear up, and i could tell Sean was too.
"Thank you mushroom. For looking after us in these woods. You wont be forgotten." Sean said patting Daniels back.
"Well little perrita ( puppy ), you were an amazing friend to us, especially Daniel. You deserved better, but.. at least now you have the best guidance.. up in Heaven. We'll miss you. And... te amamos. ( we love you )" i said kneeling down to the grace, placing a single flower i found in the ground earlier on the grave dirt.
"Sean, do you think she's up in heaven? ...with dad?"
"Yeah.. i'm sure he will look after her." He gave Daniel and half smile.
"Wait.. what about his allergies?"
Sean chuckled. "Don't worry enano..there's no allergies up there. They'll be fine together."
We stood there for a moment, silent. Remembering the cute little puppy that left us too fast.
Sean sighed. "Okay.. we should go. It's getting late."
"Okay." Me and Daniel said at the same time.
~~~~~~~~~~
The next few days were looong, quiet, and to say the least, cold. We walked through so much snow, to the point we were all practically falling everytime we tried to walk through how much snow was on the ground. We were limping, tired, it couldn't have gotten worse than all that. But, eventually and FINALLY, we made it to Beaver Creek, where Sean and Daniels grandparents supposedly live. I didn't tell them, but i was horrified that they wouldn't let me stay in their home.. not that i deserved to, or had the right to since i have to family relation with them, but i was really, really tired. I would be fine if they just gave me a sleeping bag to put outside in.. maybe the garage or something? I wouldn't want to intrude.
"Well, we made it." Sean said, stopping at a mailbox that said "reynolds" on it. This house was big and fully decorated with Christmas decorations. It was lovely.
Sean sighed."It's been a long since i've been here..."
"When was that?" Daniel asked.
"Before you were born.."
We walked up to the house, as Sean stopped in front of the door. "Come here, let me check you out.. Claire likes everything super clean.. Dad said she got pissed because he let me bring a snowball in the house..." he said as he wiped off Daniels jacket and neatened up his hair. I did the same to myself.
As Sean rang the doorbell, it was a minute until anyone answered the door. But finally, a blonde woman did.
"I'm sorry, we don't want any—"
Here mouth went wide.
"Sean? Oh my... is that... Daniel?" She said as Daniel smiled to her.
"What's going on down here? I heard—" The voice of an old man said from inside the house.
"Look who's here.. after all this time!" Claire said.
"What the hell are you doing here?" The old man said, walking towards the door.
"Stephen, watch your mouth!" She said.
Daniel began coughing. As i put my hand on his shoulder, about to ask if he was going to be okay, Claire looked at me. "and you would be? I don't believe i've seen you before.."
"Y-you haven't.. i'm a.. friend of Sean and Daniels.." i said nervously looking at her and Stephen.
Claire sighed as Daniel started coughing again. "Get in, all of you."
Me, Sean and Stephen all sat down at the dining table while Claire gave Daniel some medicine and put him to rest a little.
"Here's some hot chocolate if you want some. It's real cold out there." Stephen said. You have absolutely no idea.
Claire came into the room. "I gave Daniel some cough medicine, but you should have taken better care of him. He could have been worse. You were lucky." She gave me and Sean a sorta 'stink eye' look as Sean looked down, mad.
"Stephen, may i talk to you for a second?" She asked as Stephen stood up from the chair.
While they talked, i put my head on the table. "They hate me." I said unenthusiastically.
"They don't.. they've always been like this.. i guess this is what happens when you get old..
After a while, Claire and Stephen came back into the living room. "Are you alright, honey? And you, Darling?" Claire said looking at Sean and i.
"Do you want more tea?"
"No thank you.. we're good." I said.
"Sean uh.. hm.. we heard about uh—"
"The police called us a few weeks ago. They're looking for you as... suspects.. in a homicide? So we have to ask... did you hurt that police officer in Seattle?" Claire said interrupting Stephen.
"Seriously? You really think i killer that cop?" Sean said sullen.
"N-now don't get mad Sean, we have to ask.. we only know what we saw on the news!" Stephen intervened.
"All i know is that.. he shot dad. And now he's gone." Sean began to cry.
"Oh sweetheart.. we are so sorry to hear about your father. But.. why did you run away if you were innocent?" Claire touched Seans hand as he gently moved it away.
"I understand, but..."
Sean sighed. "You know the police would separate us... maybe forever. Daniel would end up in foster care.."
"You can't be sure, Sean.. anyways, at least you've managed to come here alive. We're glad you two are okay.."
"I hate to think what could have happened to both of you...you need to think of long term solutions.. now." Claire and Stephen continued pitying us.
"I tried! But.. i can't do everything." Sean had a hurt, confused look on his face now.
"Well.. what are your plans?" Claire asked.
"Go.. down to Mexico.. to Puerto Lobos.. dad has a house down there—"
"Sean.. you can't run away from the law like-like fugitives! How can you protect your brother if you're both running from the police?"
"you three are gonna stay with us-"
"Oh Stephen...maybe we should-"
Stephen put his hand on her arm.
"After your mother left, your dad.. never really wanted us in your life...i can't blame him, but you're still part of our family and.. we wanna prove it, okay? And for you, Iris. If Sean and Daniel really like you enough to take you along with them through this.. "adventure"... then i don't see why we can't do the same." Stephen went on saying. A huge smile formed on my face. I was so thankful they were gonna let me stay here, even if it was in the basement or something.
"Really?? Thats really nice Stephen... thank you.."
Sean partly smiled.
"Okay, but we have to lay down the rules of the house... No mess, No noise, or no service." Claire said.
"The biggest rule is keep your heads low around here. Beaver Creek is small, and nosy and.... Nosy." He said with a sigh.
Daniel came in the dining room. He was ecstatic about being able to stay here but, so was i.
"Now, whose hungry?" Claire asked as me and Daniel both ran up from our chairs. "Oo, me!!"
"Lets fix you all up something."
~~~
"How do you feel, superwolf?"
"Way better. It's nice and warm in here! And the food, yum!" Daniel said, raving about all the good things.
Soon, Claire came into the room.
"Feeling better?"
"Yeahh. I love this bed.. thanks grandma."
"Good. Your temperature is down..."
"I'm way better now-"
"You still need to take it easy, cachorro." I told him sweetly.
"How about we say a little prayer, and give thanks?"
"Its like.. a bedtime story? Right?"
Me and Sean chuckled.
"Well, this is a bit like this, yes...except, the story comes from.. up there." Claire said pointing up.
Daniel giggled. "At the ceiling?"
"Not quite, enano." Sean laughed.
"So, are we ready to pray?"
Sean Looked at me with a smile.
"Sure.. we need all the help we can get."
"Can you ask to bless dad..and sean, and iris, and Mushroom, and you and grandpa, and uh... everyone else." Daniel smiled.
"Aww Daniel.." i said.
"Oh my, you are so sweet. Thank you lord for bring Sean, Daniel and even Iris safe and sound into our house. Take care of Esteban and.. er.. Mushroom! Please... give us the strength to get over the hardships of the past, and the trials yet to come.. Amen."
"Amen." All three of us said.
"Okay. It's bedtime. Try to get some rest. And... no roughhousing."
"Don't worry. We're way too tired" Sean said getting into the covers.
"Also, Iris, i hope it's okay that we out down a Inflatable mattress.. we figured it would be better than the ground." Claire said.
"Its perfect. Thank you so much." I smiled.
Sean smiled."Oh and, thanks again."
"Good night Grandma" Daniel said.
~~~
As the night quickly passed, before we knew it, it was sunny and the birds were out chirping. Daniel woke up before me or Sean of course, but i woke up right away to help Claire with anything she needed.
"It would be a great help if you passed me some ingredients, please?" [ when you get life is strange 1 vibes from when Joyce asked Max to help get ingredients for breakfast 🌝 ]
"Sure. 'Course."
I grabbed some Waffle mix, and eggs for the boys and i. Just as i was grabbing the eggs, i saw Sean coming downstairs. His messy hair was hilarious. And by hilarious, i mean adorable.
"Look who's finally awake." Claire said laughing.
"Morning sleepyhead!" I passed Sean a cup with orange juice.
"Daniel? Almost breakfast time!" Claire yelled.
"Hold on! Grandpa is showing me his electric Trains!"
"Stephen, your grandson has to eat..."
"Alright, alright.. go on Daniel."
Daniel soon came downstairs, immediately devouring all of his breakfast.
"And i thought Stephen was the fast eater.." Claire said laughing.
~~~~~
After eating, Daniel began slowly using his powers to lift the dishes up from the table.
"Dude stop!!" Sean yelled as he dropped the plates and cups. "What's going in back there?" Claire said, yelling. "N-nothing.." Sean said in defense.
"Hey grandma? I wanted to ask you about that locked room. Upstairs." Daniel asked.
Claire sighed. "I told you, there's nothing to see in it, Daniel."
"Why were you in it this morning then?"
"Because, there's a lot of old junk in there and.. besides, it's not safe for you to explore, okay?"
"But we'll be fine..."
I looked at Sean, seeing he was clearly angry at Daniel for bugging Claire about this when he told him not to.
"Why don't you go explore outside? You sure look like you're getting better. Get some fresh air."
"I'll wait for Sean! We won't be loud. Promise!"
"But be careful nobody see's you.. stay in the back, okay?"
Daniel ran off. Sean lifted one arm on the table, looking mad.
"Maybe you should tell him it was Karen's room."
"It's just a room now, Sean. Nothing to see."
"Daniel needs that. He doesn't know anything about her.."
"I know.. poor thing. But, his mother isn't in there anymore. So nobody goes in the room, okay? I'm serious.."
I could feel the tension between Sean and Claire. "Uh.. i'm gonna go check on Daniel. Don't want him to get lost in the snow..." I awkwardly laughed as the room was filled with silent anger.
~~~
Seans pov
( continued conversation)
"Did mom ever contact you? She only talked to dad a few times...then she was gone."
Claire sighed. "Yes she was... you know Sean, i don't really want to talk about this anymore. Its over. Anyway, you have to respect my rules under my roof, okay?"
"Of course.. Always."
"I appreciate that Sean. Now you better go find your brother. There's the shed with some old toys in it, and i'll bet Stephen has the keys!"
"Daniel will freak. Thank you."
~~
Once i finally got to Stephens "office" we talked a bit after his broken shelf almost fell on me. "Hey uh.. can you close the door? I wanna talk for a second...." Stephen said.
I walked over to the door, shutting it and then pulling up a chair next to him.
"So.. listen. I've.. noticed things. With Daniel. You know what i'm talking about.. don't you?"
"Yeah.. i do."
"But- how the heck is that possible? I mean he can.. well. You know more than me.." Stephen said.
"Not really.. it started in Seattle.. after everything happened. I wish i could explain it to you but, that's how it is now. And we have to live with it." I said rubbing my eyes.
"I-i don't even know what to think.. Daniel needs a- a doctor.. or something"
"Then i'd probably never see him again..."
"Yeah. I get it.. he needs you. More than anything else. By the way, please keep this between us. Claire has a lot of strong beliefs... she wouldn't understand. She adores Daniel.. and just wants the both of you to be safe and.. happy. What i'm trying to say is, maybe you should stay here with us. I know you boys plan to run to Mexico but.."
"Thanks.. we could but.. why not."
"I know being out here in the sticks with us old farts isn't exciting but..this is your home now."
"It's cool. Kinda different but, i just don't want you to get in trouble because of us.."
"It's more dangerous to be on the road! Do you think your father wanted this for his kids?"
"Of course not. But everything's different now."
"I know, i know. Well, just think about it. But, don't torture yourself."
"I wont. Uh, hey.. Claire said you had the keys for the tool shed?"
"Oh, sure! Here." Stephen handed me a silver key.
"You guys enjoy the sun! And.. be careful with that shed. It's probably a mess inside." He chuckled.
"Thanks."
[ eh there's more but this chapters way too long already 💀😂 ]
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